Rachael French
@drrachaelf.bsky.social
Chair of Biology @SJSU, nerd, mom, Social Justice Ranger. The Matriarchy is Coming. She/Her. Opinions are my own. I swear a lot. drrachaelfrench on Threads.
Pinned
Rachael French
@drrachaelf.bsky.social
· Oct 19
In honor of being put on a science communicators list, I thought I’d bring back my most popular science communication thread from Twitter, before I never go there again.
This was in response to Ted Cruz asking AOC “what, exactly, is a Y chromosome?”
Read on if you want to know…
This was in response to Ted Cruz asking AOC “what, exactly, is a Y chromosome?”
Read on if you want to know…
Played "Abel's Buccaneers: 5: The Philosopher's Stone"
February 10, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Played "Abel's Buccaneers: 5: The Philosopher's Stone"
Reposted by Rachael French
And the new NCI Director moves to piss away his scientific credibility.
First, killing cancer cells is a very low bar; many compounds kill cancer cells and are not the least bit useful for treating cancer.
1/2
First, killing cancer cells is a very low bar; many compounds kill cancer cells and are not the least bit useful for treating cancer.
1/2
The National Cancer Institute will begin studying ivermectin's ability to kill cancer cells, @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social reports
www.statnews.com/2026/02/10/i...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/10/i...
National Cancer Institute studying ivermectin’s ‘ability to kill cancer cells,’ alarming career scientists
The National Cancer Institute is studying ivermectin as a potential cancer treatment, according to its top official, alarming career scientists.
www.statnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
And the new NCI Director moves to piss away his scientific credibility.
First, killing cancer cells is a very low bar; many compounds kill cancer cells and are not the least bit useful for treating cancer.
1/2
First, killing cancer cells is a very low bar; many compounds kill cancer cells and are not the least bit useful for treating cancer.
1/2
Closing the schools is a technique designed to try to break the support of parents for the teachers.
When our teachers were on strike, schools were still open, though we kept our kids home as did nearly everyone we knew.
When our teachers were on strike, schools were still open, though we kept our kids home as did nearly everyone we knew.
With teachers on strike and a deal still pending, San Francisco school officials announced schools would be closed Tuesday, adding a second day the district’s 48,000 students would not be in class as the two sides battle over raises and health care benefits.
📸: Ethan Swope
📸: Ethan Swope
February 10, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Closing the schools is a technique designed to try to break the support of parents for the teachers.
When our teachers were on strike, schools were still open, though we kept our kids home as did nearly everyone we knew.
When our teachers were on strike, schools were still open, though we kept our kids home as did nearly everyone we knew.
Reposted by Rachael French
The instant I saw the sugarcane in the opening shot, I knew it was about to be political af. If you somehow missed the politics, you should not be working as a reporter.
February 10, 2026 at 12:53 PM
The instant I saw the sugarcane in the opening shot, I knew it was about to be political af. If you somehow missed the politics, you should not be working as a reporter.
Reposted by Rachael French
They have now removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall Inn.
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Trump administration removes Rainbow Flag from Stonewall National Monument
The Trump administration removed a large Rainbow Flag from a flagpole at the Stonewall National Monument, the National Park Service confirmed to Gay City News
gaycitynews.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:12 AM
They have now removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall Inn.
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Reposted by Rachael French
Dinosaur Convention out here with higher moral standards than the Cabinet.
February 10, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Dinosaur Convention out here with higher moral standards than the Cabinet.
Reposted by Rachael French
The whole article is repulsive but this passage is at the core of it. She has no interest in writing books, she wants to win some kind of competition that nobody entered
February 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The whole article is repulsive but this passage is at the core of it. She has no interest in writing books, she wants to win some kind of competition that nobody entered
I doubt that I would have any followers who are snobby about romance as a genre.
But just in case. Y’all realize that novels as an art form wouldn’t exist without romance, right?
Y’all realize how hard it is to write a compelling story when everybody already knows how it’s going to end?
But just in case. Y’all realize that novels as an art form wouldn’t exist without romance, right?
Y’all realize how hard it is to write a compelling story when everybody already knows how it’s going to end?
February 8, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I doubt that I would have any followers who are snobby about romance as a genre.
But just in case. Y’all realize that novels as an art form wouldn’t exist without romance, right?
Y’all realize how hard it is to write a compelling story when everybody already knows how it’s going to end?
But just in case. Y’all realize that novels as an art form wouldn’t exist without romance, right?
Y’all realize how hard it is to write a compelling story when everybody already knows how it’s going to end?
Reposted by Rachael French
Of all the books coverage you could do, all the romance coverage, all the culture coverage, you chose a fluffy piece about a lady who will not disclose her real name because she doesn’t always tell *people she coaches* the truth about her methods?
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Of all the books coverage you could do, all the romance coverage, all the culture coverage, you chose a fluffy piece about a lady who will not disclose her real name because she doesn’t always tell *people she coaches* the truth about her methods?
Reposted by Rachael French
Giving somebody anonymity in a FEATURE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM is absolutely ridiculous unless they are like fleeing persecution. She doesn’t want to tell readers the truth, she doesn’t want to take responsibility for the ethical problems with what she’s doing, WHY are you promoting her?
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Giving somebody anonymity in a FEATURE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM is absolutely ridiculous unless they are like fleeing persecution. She doesn’t want to tell readers the truth, she doesn’t want to take responsibility for the ethical problems with what she’s doing, WHY are you promoting her?
Reposted by Rachael French
You can make money in a lot of lousy, dishonest ways, but somehow only in romance does it get written up as if it’s essentially harmless and smart, on the assumption that nobody who reads romance cares whether it’s good or not.
There are a ton of ebook scams on Amazon; this is just another one.
There are a ton of ebook scams on Amazon; this is just another one.
February 8, 2026 at 2:14 PM
You can make money in a lot of lousy, dishonest ways, but somehow only in romance does it get written up as if it’s essentially harmless and smart, on the assumption that nobody who reads romance cares whether it’s good or not.
There are a ton of ebook scams on Amazon; this is just another one.
There are a ton of ebook scams on Amazon; this is just another one.
And it was already quite difficult to sort out the good self-published books from the rest.
I don't see how self-publishing world survives GenAI. It's going to be an absurd increase in slop books with no reason to expect any increase in paying readers.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
February 8, 2026 at 4:26 PM
And it was already quite difficult to sort out the good self-published books from the rest.
Reposted by Rachael French
even the high lifted and chivalric Crusaders of old times were not content to traverse two thousand miles of land to fight for their holy sepulchre, without committing burglaries, picking pockets, and gaining other pious perquisites
February 8, 2026 at 5:47 AM
even the high lifted and chivalric Crusaders of old times were not content to traverse two thousand miles of land to fight for their holy sepulchre, without committing burglaries, picking pockets, and gaining other pious perquisites
Reposted by Rachael French
Yup. This is also why I get annoyed when people start suggesting "golden age" science fiction titles to people who are new the genre and are asking for suggestions. You want to turn a modern 15-year-old off science fiction forever, recommend stories that were old when her grandparents were her age.
When people ask how to get into GA SF I always say that the right way is via some of those fat "Best Of" short fiction collections
February 5, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Yup. This is also why I get annoyed when people start suggesting "golden age" science fiction titles to people who are new the genre and are asking for suggestions. You want to turn a modern 15-year-old off science fiction forever, recommend stories that were old when her grandparents were her age.
Reposted by Rachael French
If you’re feeling low, I highly recommend taking 50 bucks, going to a bar with an Internet-connected jukebox and absolutely FUCKING with the vibe.
You will never beat the looks on peoples faces when Jelly Roll is followed by Three Caballeros
You will never beat the looks on peoples faces when Jelly Roll is followed by Three Caballeros
February 8, 2026 at 3:27 AM
If you’re feeling low, I highly recommend taking 50 bucks, going to a bar with an Internet-connected jukebox and absolutely FUCKING with the vibe.
You will never beat the looks on peoples faces when Jelly Roll is followed by Three Caballeros
You will never beat the looks on peoples faces when Jelly Roll is followed by Three Caballeros
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
“You have to serve on department committees. Everyone has to wash dishes.”
“You have to serve on department committees. Everyone has to wash dishes.”
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"Where are your citations?"
"Where are your citations?"
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"No, you can't leave that here."
"No, you can't leave that here."
February 8, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
“You have to serve on department committees. Everyone has to wash dishes.”
“You have to serve on department committees. Everyone has to wash dishes.”
Rescued Paula from the Ringmaster's clutches with help from Dr Necropolis #ZombiesRun
February 7, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Rescued Paula from the Ringmaster's clutches with help from Dr Necropolis #ZombiesRun
Reposted by Rachael French
CA joins Illinois in presenting a bill to block ICE agents from being law enforcement in the state.
The bill goes further to also block ICE agents from becoming teachers.
www.foxla.com/news/califor...
The bill goes further to also block ICE agents from becoming teachers.
www.foxla.com/news/califor...
California bill bans ICE agents from teaching, policing jobs
Assembly Bill 1627 would disqualify former ICE agents who served from 2025-2029 from employment in California's public schools and law enforcement agencies.
www.foxla.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:05 PM
CA joins Illinois in presenting a bill to block ICE agents from being law enforcement in the state.
The bill goes further to also block ICE agents from becoming teachers.
www.foxla.com/news/califor...
The bill goes further to also block ICE agents from becoming teachers.
www.foxla.com/news/califor...
Reposted by Rachael French
this may be the single most insufferable thing about the radical centrist caucus - not just extending good faith to obviously bad faith people but demanding everyone else do the same and chiding them when they don’t
A lot of our political discourse would be easier if we didn't extend good faith to people who would never extend it back.
February 7, 2026 at 4:22 PM
this may be the single most insufferable thing about the radical centrist caucus - not just extending good faith to obviously bad faith people but demanding everyone else do the same and chiding them when they don’t
My husband, and I quote, “couldn’t you just think about porn or take some Viagra?”
February 6, 2026 at 3:32 PM
My husband, and I quote, “couldn’t you just think about porn or take some Viagra?”
Reposted by Rachael French
“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back to a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.”
IT SAVES PUBLIC MONEY to house people.
IT SAVES PUBLIC MONEY to house people.
Finland ends homelessness and provides shelter for all in need - scoop.me
In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Why? The country applies the "Housing First" concept agains homelessness.
thebetter.news
February 6, 2026 at 4:45 AM
“In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counselling with no preconditions. 4 out of 5 people affected make their way back to a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.”
IT SAVES PUBLIC MONEY to house people.
IT SAVES PUBLIC MONEY to house people.
Reposted by Rachael French
First they came for DEI and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for gender identity research and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for the NPRCs, and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for gender identity research and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for the NPRCs, and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
February 5, 2026 at 6:47 PM
First they came for DEI and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for gender identity research and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for the NPRCs, and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for gender identity research and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for the NPRCs, and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Reposted by Rachael French
Hey, I lost a bunch of followers when I reposted this last night, so this morning I'm ordering MORE boxes and reposting it again!
Hey everyone!
Huge news! Our trans girl scout list has sold a total of 146,000 boxes as of today!
But MANY trans girl scouts only have 20, 30, 40 boxes sold.
I just resorted our list to put those on the top.
Go get your girl scout cookies and make a trans kid's day!
Huge news! Our trans girl scout list has sold a total of 146,000 boxes as of today!
But MANY trans girl scouts only have 20, 30, 40 boxes sold.
I just resorted our list to put those on the top.
Go get your girl scout cookies and make a trans kid's day!
2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From!
This year, consider ordering your Girl Scout cookies from a trans girl scout to make their day!
www.erininthemorning.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Hey, I lost a bunch of followers when I reposted this last night, so this morning I'm ordering MORE boxes and reposting it again!
When we all finally accept that the rights ideology is all about accumulation of power, things will be both easier and harder.
Easier because it’s helpful to actually know what you’re fighting. Harder because a lot of people aren’t going to believe it until it’s nearly too late.
Easier because it’s helpful to actually know what you’re fighting. Harder because a lot of people aren’t going to believe it until it’s nearly too late.
February 3, 2026 at 2:24 PM
When we all finally accept that the rights ideology is all about accumulation of power, things will be both easier and harder.
Easier because it’s helpful to actually know what you’re fighting. Harder because a lot of people aren’t going to believe it until it’s nearly too late.
Easier because it’s helpful to actually know what you’re fighting. Harder because a lot of people aren’t going to believe it until it’s nearly too late.
Reposted by Rachael French
I woke up feeling ready to scrap again.
I got some really good advice in grad school for dealing with setbacks and it still works: give yourself the rest of the day to mourn and really feel your feelings—be a caricature, wallow, use all your coping mechanisms. Go to bed, dust off, and move on.
I got some really good advice in grad school for dealing with setbacks and it still works: give yourself the rest of the day to mourn and really feel your feelings—be a caricature, wallow, use all your coping mechanisms. Go to bed, dust off, and move on.
February 3, 2026 at 12:51 PM
I woke up feeling ready to scrap again.
I got some really good advice in grad school for dealing with setbacks and it still works: give yourself the rest of the day to mourn and really feel your feelings—be a caricature, wallow, use all your coping mechanisms. Go to bed, dust off, and move on.
I got some really good advice in grad school for dealing with setbacks and it still works: give yourself the rest of the day to mourn and really feel your feelings—be a caricature, wallow, use all your coping mechanisms. Go to bed, dust off, and move on.